Plastics are essential materials in everyday modern life, but their durability and versatility lead to considerable stress for both the ecology and human health. Through physical, chemical and biological processes, they break down into micro- and nanoparticles that can be detected in soils, waters and the atmosphere. At the same time, there is increasing evidence of toxicological effects such as inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress and endocrine disruptions, while the long-term health consequences remain largely unclear. Against this background, strategies to reduce plastic input, develop standardised detection methods and promote sustainable recycling and upcycling technologies are of essential importance. The study "From Harm to Hope: Tackling Microplastics' Perils with Recycling Innovation" conducted by Italian scientists provides an overview of the formation, detection and health relevance of microplastics as well as current approaches to the circular economy. The study was published in the journal "Molecules".

Plastics are one of the most widely used materials. Their versatility and durability make them an integral part of many industries. However, these properties also pose a serious environmental problem. The European Patent Office (EPO) has examined the development of innovation in plastic waste management over a period of five decades on the basis of international patent families (IPFs). It shows that innovations in plastic waste management are increasing significantly and are showing remarkable momentum compared to other technology areas.

The recycling of plastics is a key factor in the transformation to a sustainable circular economy. In the article "A systematic review of plastic recycling: technology, environmental impact and economic evaluation", Chinese scientists provide an overview of the technological advances of the last ten years, assess the environmental impacts on the basis of current life cycle analyses and examine the economic viability of various recycling methods. The article was published in "Waste Management & Research".

With the Green Deal, the EU is aiming for a significant increase in the plastic recycling rate, but currently only about 27 percent of waste is actually recycled. In addition to mechanical recycling, the focus is on physical and chemical processes, the environmental and cost effects of which have so far been little researched. The study "Environmental and economic assessment of plastic waste recycling and energy recovery pathways in the EU" by Spanish and Italian scientists compares the most important recycling routes on the basis of European primary data and provides decision-making aids for politics and business. The study was published in "Resources, Conservation & Recycling".

Knowledge of cathode chemistry is increasingly decisive for the efficiency of modern recycling processes. The previous practice of processing heterogeneous batteries together leads to com-plex material flows and decreasing metal yields. The study "Identification of waste lithium-ion battery cell chemistry for recycling" by Finnish scientists shows that new diagnostic methods such as incremental capacity analysis can enable non-destructive pre-sorting for the first time. The study was published in "Waste Management".

Biogenic waste is one of the largest sources of raw materials in the European circular economy, which has so far been underestimated. Food residues, wood waste, sewage sludge and agricultural residues accumulate in enormous quantities, but are still often incinerated or landfilled. The study "Assessing the potential to enhance the circularity of bio-based waste" by Magellan Circle and 3drivers shows that more than half of these materials could be used in a higher quality. To achieve this, better separate collection, new recycling technologies and clear political framework conditions for a circular bioeconomy are crucial.

Europe has developed many of the technologies needed to improve battery recycling. However, experts from the European Union-funded projects FREE4LIB and RESPECT say stronger political coordination and broader industrial deployment are necessary to expand these solutions and secure access to critical raw materials.